Mohali, November 4: India continued their dominant run in the Asian Champions Trophy, thrashing South Korea 8-1 in the semifinal at the Olympian Balbir Singh International Hockey Stadium on Wednesday to storm into the final.
Having beaten the Koreans 8-0 in their final league-stage match, India once again produced an emphatic performance to set up a title clash against Japan on Thursday.
Shilanand Lakra (4′, 13′) and Dilpreet Singh (21′, 25′) scored two goals each, while captain Harmanpreet Singh (9′), Sukhjeet Singh (21′), Angad Bir Singh (36′) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (54′) contributed one goal apiece.
India made an aggressive start, with Lakra opening the scoring in the fourth minute. However, South Korea responded through Han Sangjun to level the scores at 1-1 in the first quarter.
The equaliser did little to slow India’s momentum. Captain Harmanpreet restored the lead with a powerful penalty-corner drag-flick in the ninth minute, scoring his 10th goal of the tournament. Lakra then struck again in the 13th minute to give India a 3-1 advantage.
India stepped up the pressure in the second quarter, adding three more goals to take a commanding 6-1 lead. Sukhjeet and Dilpreet struck in quick succession in the 21st minute before Dilpreet completed his brace in the 25th minute with another clinical finish.
Angad Bir Singh extended India’s advantage in the 36th minute, while Vivek Sagar Prasad completed the scoring in the 54th minute as the hosts maintained their control over the contest.
India will now aim to cap their unbeaten campaign with the title against Japan, who booked their place in the final after defeating Malaysia 5-3 in a shootout following a goalless semifinal.
Japan converted all five of their shootout attempts to progress.
India will face Japan in the final at 7 pm on Thursday, November 5.
